Don’t Be "That" Tourist

Yes, I am the dumb American blonde, eyes fixated up toward the sky, bag shoved carelessly under my chair swiftly lifted from under me as I enjoyed my bocadillo beneath the sweltering summer sun.

Don’t let this be you!!!

While I will always confess my undying love for this city that I call home, I, like many before me, learned my lesson the hard way. When people say to watch your bag as you wander the streets of Barca- they really mean it! While shootings, murders and knifings are hardly ever in the papers, having a purse or bag stolen is pretty much the de rigueur initiation of any newcomer to the city. It is however, very simple to avoid this potentially disastrous situation.

First of all, I would recommend NEVER carrying your passport with you (another thing I learned the hard way!). It takes ages to replace and is quite expensive not to mention time consuming. If you use a credit card, carry your license. Keep your passport under lock and key and make sure you have a copy of it!

Furthermore, carry your bag across your chest, or better yet, carry none at all (especially if you’re new to the city- even if you’re a bonafide ‘don’t mess with me’ New Yorker- you will be spotted and targeted!). I know this may not go with your hot outfit as you peruse the shops on Paseo de Gracia, but its advice well worth taking.


If you do decide to carry a bag (some shoes just can’t be worn without a cute one!) carry the bare minimums- credit cards, forty euros and breath mints (maybe even a disposable camera). Credit cards are easily canceled, forty euros doesn’t go far, and the only thing you have to lose is your bag, which, the Coach lover in me understands can be an incredible loss, but at least its an excuse for shopping! Police reports, replacement passports and insurance for cameras take ages to sort out.

You have been warned!!!

Welcome to Barcelona

So why am I in Barcelona??? Good Question! I never had ANY intention of staying here- I just though that I would do my TEFL, have a fabulous vacation on the Mediterranean, and then be off to South Asia (where I hear all of the well-paid English teaching jobs are). It's amazing how plans can change so dramatically and quickly. Plans that I thought were set in stone changed within weeks of my arrival here, and I have lived in Barcelona ever since.

Upon my arrival I did an intensive one-week Spanish course to review all of the basics and feel more confident in my speaking abilities- especially to learn the “tu” and “vosotros” forms which are hardly ever used in South American countries. With that under my belt the journey was much easier- I’d definitely have to recommend beginning any stay in Barcelona with a Spanish course. While Catalan is the other main language, everyone living here is bilingual- and knowing Spanish is a great asset in general, so it is a definite “must” in my book.

It all began with a chilling little sojourn in a law school far, far away where I learned that I’d prefer to be the one on the other side and from thence began my interest in the unknown land of teaching English abroad. Leaving the US without a plan or destination I began my journey with a visit to friends on the west coast of Ireland. Along with many other acquaintances who had visited over the years, they too recommended doing my TEFL in Barcelona, since if you’re going to travel, you should do it right!

While taking my TEFL course I learned that I loved to teach and draw up lesson plans. It is also where I met some of my best friends since I have been here in Barcelona. Weekends spent planning lessons on the Barceloneta beach, days spent lunching under the Mediterranean sun, nights spent listening to music on the streets of the Raval until the madrugada, the stuff you read about but were never sure was true- all right here. I never hesitated. After two weeks wandering around and getting lost every chance I could find I was hooked. There is a feeling in this city unmatched in any other place I have been.

Since I have been here I have seen Tool’s “Forty-Six & 2” played on a sitar, danced in the fires of the correfocs, eaten a three hour menu del dia, taken classes in life drawing and flamenco, and learned that when someone says “foc” to you, what they really want is a light. Even if you leave Barcelona, having been here you will never be quite the same. I'm not sure if I will ever be able to leave...